Semiconductors & Integrated Circuits
Zinc Oxide Thin Films Have Higher Electron Mobility
WARF: P130004US02
Inventors: Paul Evans, Josef Spalenka
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing a surface treatment that enhances the mobility and conductivity of semiconducting oxide film.
Overview
Zinc oxide (ZnO) is an inorganic semiconductor with applications in large area photovoltaics and transparent electronics. Producing zinc oxide thin films with excellent electronic properties is challenging and has required a series of processing tools, including vacuum deposition techniques and annealing.
The films can be produced from solution-deposited precursors, enabling industrial (rather than batch) processing and new technologies like electronic circuit printing. However, the films are riddled with defects and impurities, and must be enhanced by subsequent processing steps. These steps typically require very hot temperatures.
The films can be produced from solution-deposited precursors, enabling industrial (rather than batch) processing and new technologies like electronic circuit printing. However, the films are riddled with defects and impurities, and must be enhanced by subsequent processing steps. These steps typically require very hot temperatures.
The Invention
UW–Madison researchers have developed a room-temperature, solution-based surface treatment that improves the properties of zinc oxide film. The treatment uses molecules that bind to the film’s surface to increase electron mobility and conductivity.
In the process, a nanometer-thick film of polycrystalline zinc oxide or an alloy is disposed over a supporting substrate and a layer of organic carboxylic acid-containing molecules. The molecules can be derivatives of saturated fatty acids or photosensitizing dye. They bind to the surface of the film via their linkage groups.
The process is compatible with techniques for manufacturing large area electronics on flexible substrates.
In the process, a nanometer-thick film of polycrystalline zinc oxide or an alloy is disposed over a supporting substrate and a layer of organic carboxylic acid-containing molecules. The molecules can be derivatives of saturated fatty acids or photosensitizing dye. They bind to the surface of the film via their linkage groups.
The process is compatible with techniques for manufacturing large area electronics on flexible substrates.
Applications
- Field effect transistors (FETs)
- Transparent electronics, lighting panels and emerging display technologies like organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs)
- Low-cost solar cells
Key Benefits
- Films exhibit higher electron mobility and conductivity.
- No high temperature processing
- Compatible with roll-to-roll printing
- May improve the performance and transparency of transparent electronics
- Competitive with vacuum-based techniques
- Could enable new technologies
Stage of Development
Surface-modified zinc oxide film has exhibited a tenfold increase in electron mobility.
Additional Information
For More Information About the Inventors
Related Technologies
For current licensing status, please contact Michael Carey at [javascript protected email address] or 608-960-9867